Pirates Free Oil Tanker with 22 Indian Crew in Gulf of Guinea

Pirates free a ship carrying 22 Indian crew and 13,500 tonnes of gasoline on Tuesday, the ship is managed by Hong Kong-based Anglo-Eastern.

“All crew members are reported to be safe and well, and the cargo remains on board,” the company said.

The Marine Express tanker was missing in the Gulf of Guinea after its contact was lost in Benin, on Friday.

The Gulf of Guinea has become an increasing target for pirates, who steal cargo and demand ransoms, despite a decline in piracy incidents worldwide, experts say.

Ships in the waters off West Africa were the targets for a series of piracy-related incidents last year, according to a January report by the International Maritime Bureau (IMB), which highlights it as the area of growing concern.